DID YOU KNOW?
- 83% of drivers think about something other than their driving when behind the wheel
- Driver distraction can also be referred to as diverted attention
- Most crashes occur during the peak morning and evening commuting period
- It is now illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving
- Younger drivers aged 15-19 years are more at risk of being distracted – this risk applies in general to the younger drivers age group as they are over–represented in the crash statistics
- In NZ 67% of driver distraction fatal crashes occurred on open roads (speed limits over 70 km/h)
- 2009 - 39 deaths, 227 serious injuries and 1,618 minor injuries were recorded with diverted attention as a contributing factor = 12% of all national road crashes
- Factors which can cause a driver to lose concentration –
- Scenery
- Mobile phones
- Music devices
- Rubber-necking
- Other passengers
- Food and drink
- Navigational devices
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REDUCE THE RISK?
- Focus on the task in hand – driving
- Be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards
- Adjust all driver controls (seat, mirrors, radio) before you start driving
- Have a clean windscreen
- Take regular breaks
- Turn off your mobile phone
USEFUL LINKS
- Ministry of Transport: Diverted Attention Crash Facts 2010
- NZTA: NZ Driver Distraction Facts
- NZ Automobile Association: Defensive Driving Courses
- Learning to drive? Practice Programme – Pass the Restricted Driving Test
- Safe Teen Driver: A Toolkit for Parents of Teen Drivers
